There’s something so enjoyable about sitting down sharing a meal with girlfriends on a Saturday morning. This past weekend, we’d planned on going to have brunch at an outdoor restaurant, but it turns out we weren’t the only ones in Denver with that idea. Wait times exceeded an hour, so I took brunch into my own hands and decided to host at my apartment. I visited our local market, Leevers Locavore, and we got to work in the kitchen.

There’s something I love about a crowded table. I want my guests to feel comfortable and able focus on company and conversation.

Pick up Some Flowers

Create a colorful, fresh centerpiece by getting some flowers. I always opt for bouquets in neutral hues and a slight pop of color, like this bouquet from Buckley House of Flowers. At this point in my life, I use the clear glass vases from often times found at Target or Michaels. They’re affordable, classic and can be used year around. That’s not to say, I’m counting down the day when I’m able to upgrade my vase collection and invest in some timeless pieces.

When arranging your bouquet opt to cut the stems at varying lengths to create visual interest.

Mimosa Flights

When it comes to hosting, I love creating an activity that provokes conversation and allows everyone to try something new, together. In this case, I got a few different juices and created Mimosa Flights! I ended up using my Ikea bud vases for the juice as we tasted our way through the flights!

Gluten-Free Waffles with Fresh Berries

Nothing says brunch, like the smell of homemade waffles. When it comes to waffle mix, Birch Benders Paleo (and gluten-free) waffles is one of my favorites. A few months ago, I got a Dash mini waffle maker and I’ve been so impressed. I love that it’s easy to store and makes the perfect sized waffles.

Add a pinch of cinnamon and honey to the waffle mix, it makes your waffles crisp and golden.

Avocado Toast with Poached Eggs

The more avocado toast the merrier. My girlfriend rummaged through the fridge and ended up making two variations. The first, an avocado toast drizzled with truffle oil. The second, a pesto avocado toast and micro greens. We topped both versions with perfectly poached eggs, green onions, everything bagel seasoning, parmesan and a squeeze of lemon juice.

Setting the Table

When I want to elevate an occasion I love brining out my linen napkins, placemats and different textured dishes. It’s really all comes down to the details, such as making your guests feel special by adding fresh squeezed lemon and slices to the water. Or making sure your guests favorite condiments are present.